The Cuban Noel Díaz, residing in the United States, shared a moment of high tension he experienced while working as an Uber driver in Kentucky.
The experience was recounted by Díaz himself in a video posted on his TikTok account, where he explained that he was assigned to pick up a passenger, but the person who got into the car was not the one who had requested the service.
"The passenger who requested the Uber is not the same one who gets in. They just put me in the car, and that's it," he explained.
At the beginning of the journey, he noticed that the man seemed to be in a state of drunkenness or under the influence of substances.
"I see the man as if he is drunk, high, I don't know," he recounted.
During the journey, he noticed in the rearview mirror that the passenger was starting to behave erratically: he was trembling, speaking incoherently, spitting, and drooling.
In light of this situation, he decided to go to a gas station and alert the police using the Uber app.
"I have more cameras than the White House," commented Díaz, who quickly gestured to a nearby patrol.
Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer approached to assist the passenger, who remained with a disturbing demeanor.
It was then that the police officer noticed that the man had a knife hidden, which raised the level of risk in the situation.
"This guy even has a weapon," expressed the Cuban in his testimony.
The passenger was treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance after receiving an intravenous line.
In the vehicle's trunk, two briefcases were left, which Díaz later handed over at a police station, where an official report was drafted that he then shared with Uber as evidence.
Although fortunately everything was brought under control, Díaz warned other drivers about the risks they may face in this kind of work: "Be careful, my people, because people are driving like they're crazy."
Recently, the Cuban Uber driver Osvaldo Rivera McIntosh was the victim of a violent attack in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a passenger became aggressive upon discovering that he was Cuban.
According to the victim's account, the assailant, visibly intoxicated, began to shout racial slurs and physically assaulted him, even attempting to strangle him with the seatbelt while pushing with his feet from the back seat.
The situation was so serious that only the intervention of a private patrol prevented fatal consequences. The driver's wife, Carolina Reyes Pozada, launched a fundraising campaign after reporting the lack of response from the authorities.
Additionally, she described the incident as “an attempted homicide motivated by hate and racism,” and stated that her husband now lives in fear and does not feel safe returning to work.
The case took a turn when the complete video of the incident was released, which shows how the aggressor attacked Rivera at two different moments.
Subsequently, it was confirmed that the perpetrator had been arrested and is facing charges of assault by strangulation and assault.
Frequently asked questions about Uber driver safety in Kentucky and the United States
What security incidents do Uber drivers face in the United States?
Uber drivers in the United States, such as Noel Díaz and Osvaldo Rivera, face high-risk situations, such as passengers under the influence of substances, racist attacks, and in some cases, threats with weapons. These experiences highlight the need for additional precautions in this line of work.
What precautionary measures can Uber drivers take for their safety?
Security experts recommend that Uber drivers install cameras, use plexiglass dividers, and maintain a safe distance from passengers who show signs of danger. It is crucial to stop the vehicle immediately and call the police in risky situations.
How did Noel Díaz react to the dangerous situation with his passenger?
Noel Díaz reacted quickly and effectively by stopping his vehicle at a gas station and alerting the police through the Uber app. This action allowed an officer to assist the passenger, who turned out to be hiding a knife.
What challenges do Cubans working as Uber drivers in the United States face?
Cuban immigrants working as Uber drivers in the United States face significant challenges, such as insecurity, racist attacks, and the need to adapt to an environment that can be hostile or dangerous. These experiences reflect the vulnerability of immigrants in certain work contexts.
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